Just Beachy, just breezy

Just Beachin

Hey look its Tony Sirico aka Paulie Walnuts!

July Beach pics- easy breezy

This past weekend, I took the day to play in Rockaway with friends Anna and Leizel. While cruising on the boardwalk, we run into Paulie Walnuts! I've never watched the Sopranos but Anna is/was a huge fan and we took photos, such a nice guy.
So as you may or may not heard about the weather on the eastern seaboard, its hot, muggy, blah, sauna-rific, what ever clever adjective- just insert it here. While the weather wasn't that great for the face it was rather terrific for my hair. For my beach pics, I kept it minimal- just cover with sunscreen and keep lips moisturized. With that being said, here is what was in the black satin bag:


Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid SPF 70: Can't go wrong with a light sunscreen.

L'Oreal Color Caresse by Color Riche in #180 Silky Java: This is my second color shade in this like and I hope that L'Oreal continues to keep these. The formula is light and smooth, though I don't care for the "fruity" scent, the color wear goes a long way.


MAC Cream Color Blush in Virgin Isle: This CCB is my perinnial favorite for the summer, its great for cheeks and over some clear gloss for lips. Unfortunately its no longer on MAC's perma-roster anymore but you can luck out at some outlet stores or Ebay.

Maybelline Babylips in Quenched: I love, love this balm, it does the job- soft lips. I even like the packaging but I absolutely cannot stand the name, Baby Lips. Really? I'm not 12.. but I bought it anyway. haha.

What are your beach pics?

Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 #140 reviewed

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm ready to test

Swatch on hand proves camouflage capabilities

After hearing SO MUCH about BB creams, I stared staking out some Duane Reade's and CVS's around the city in the middle of June, un-surprisingly when I did see the display for Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector display, it looked like a pack of velosaraptors tore apart the testers and some of the product! and of course, my shade- #140 Deep Sheer Tint was long gone.
If you are still fuzzy as to what makes BB creams so special,  here is what Maybelline's Dream Fresh Beauty Balm is purposed to do:
- Blur Imperfections
- Enhances ( not sure what, skin?)
- Brightens
-Adjusts to skin-tone ( in the past I've had no such luck, just ask Almay and Dr. Perricone- major fails)
- Smoothes
- Hydrates
- SPF 30
- 0% Oils and other heavy ingredients
These types of all-in one creams are HUGE in Asia as women want skincare and color cosmetics to be seamless. Here in the US, its about: Toner, Primer, Concealer, Foundation, Powder, Mist... etc. A lot of these steps I have omitted from my routine as I'm not trying to look early 90's matte-tastic.

This week I ventured to a Duane Reade in Midtown that had a half display ( maybe stegasaurus'?) of product but they did have my shade! Later, when I got home, I tested the shade on my hand and I was impressed! I tried the full product on today and I have to say that it has delivered so far on 5-6 of the 8 promises which is 62-75% but I would give this product an A. Fantastic job on the shade range and pigmentation! There is 1.15% of titanium dioxide for the purposes of sunscreen. Overall, Fantastic!

Chanel Beige (565) Nail Color Swatch

Chanel Beige ( 565) Nail Color

Back in May, Chanel craftly let us know that a limited edition nail color coming, I had no clue what color it was going to be- in fact, I thought it would be a repromote of the Khaki collection but actually they came out with a new color that was more practical yet very daring, a beige color that errs on the side of warmer yellow than your standard neutral. Hmm, this IS interesting.
Even the color swatch on the site is a bit..off but after seeing the color in person and trying it on, its probably the most "classic" Chanel nail color since Ballerina.
Beige is that friendly reminder that ,"nail art is cool..but just not at my 9-to-5" or its perfect for those who need a break from the trends. For now its available on Chanel.com but will be hitting counters this fall.

Beauty Bag: Humidity Proof Looks- July 9th

This is my makeup bag this week- humidity friendly wares

This week I've been toting a light makeup bag due to the 80 degree temps and high humidity. Instead of my face melting at its usual 12pm schedule, it melts at 8:30am on my way out to work!
To combat the icky- stickies of giving mayjah face, I recently added these cute mint-scented hand and face wipes to the mix. Here are a list of my go-to's for this week!

-I heart Ice Cream Mini wet wipes- I picked these up at C.O Bigelow, too cute!

- Chanel Beige Nail Color- its a warm- neutral color that looks super natural. Perfect for those days when you want to have a nail art break.

- Jack Black Vanilla Mint Intense Therapy lip balm SPF 25- yes, this is for dudes, however, this is also the best lip moisturizer and smoother for when your lips feel like sand paper on a hot day. This here takes care of your lips like no other.

-Marc Jacobs Heart Mirror- When I first moved to the city almost 4 years ago, this was my first purchase at the Marc Jacobs accessory store. It will be making future cameo appearances.

- YSL Touche Eclat in #6- One of the loves of my life! just a dot or two under my eyes and that is all.

- Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick in Riviera- This punchy tropical orange is all the kick that I need for summer, especially with a bare face. I use two swipes and the color lasts at least until lunch.

- Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Mascara in Black- I was introduced to this mascara by a fellow beauty enthusiast. This mascara makes you look awake and is easy to wipe off when winding down for the evening.

- Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy- This is my "no- look" go to lippy, meaning that I don't need a mirror to apply the balm and I know I will look ( and feel good).

- Neutrogena Visibly Even Daily Moisturizer (not pictured)- I try to wear spf every day, especially because my skin gets hyperpigmentation scars like crazy from blemishes. This moisturizer is light and smooth plus, I know that it is working on my skin while I'm taking care of business for the day.. I know because this is like my third bottle.

- Makeup bag is from Forever 21!

What's in your bag this week?

Eau Yes! Anti-Perspirant options for sensitive skin

For the past few months I've been testing alternatives to the standard stick of deodorant and since the past few days have been sweltering, I figure, what a great way to share some of these alternative anti-perspirant options. Alternative meaning Aluminum-free, lightly scented and 100% effective against the sweat inducing heat. Add these to my favorite from a few summers ago, lemon.

Clean Original Scent Moisture- Absorbant Deodorant- I tried this one out during the winter ( January through April) to great results. Clean deodorant has no parabens, sulfates or synthetic dyes.The stick lasted 3 months, the scent was light and there was no odor.

Avalon Organics Grapefruit and Geranium Deodorant Spray- I've been using this one off and on with the Clean Deodorant for the past few months. This spray is highly effective as it uses grapefruit and geranium oils to help control oil. The formula takes some time getting used to because with a spray, you never know if you are fully covered with one spritz or three ( I find that two is enough actually). Overall, this is a great deodorant spray that you can use to refresh your body as well!

Kiehls' Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant- Aside from having a fantastic name, this cream based deodorant is great too! I started using this two weeks ago and its amazing. Fragrance-free and a little goes a long way. Even with this 85 degree, 70% humidity start to the week, this cream has not melted or lost smell battle.